Traffic sign



H J. SMITH TRAFFIC SIGN May 2, 1933.

Filed July 29, 1932 E J. Jmiiia,

Patented May 2, 1933 UNITED STATES HENRY .7. SMITH, OF DAVID CITY, NEBRASKA TRAFFIC SIGN Application filed July 29,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in signs, and particularly to signs which are especially adapted for use 111 controlling vehicular traffic.

Ordinarily trafiic signs, and especially those used to indicate that a vehicle is to stop, at an intersection, before proceeding across or into the intersecting street or road, are placed at the right hand side of the road. As thus placed, these signs are sometimes unnoticed by the drivers of vehicles, and serious accidents occur.

Sometimes, warning legends are printed on the surface of a street, in the path of approaching vehicles, but these legends are not clearly visible to the drivers, due, partly, to the size of the letters of the legend, as well as the angle at which the drivers view them, and are therefore often unnoticed until too late.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a trafiic sign which is to be placed in the path of approaching vehicles, and which is so arranged that the drivers may easily and quickly read the same.

Another object is to provide a traffic sign which is normally in a position to be readily seen by the drivers of approaching vehicles, but which will be readily depressed, should a vehicle run over the same, the sign imme- 30 diately thereafter being automatically restored to its normal position.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a trafiic sign, made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1, the sign member peing shown in depressed position in dotted mes.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 represents a plate of suitable size, in which is formed a rectangular opening 11. This plate is adapted to be secured over a depression, such as shown at 12, in the 1932. Serial No. 625,910.

drawing, by bolts 13, passed through openings in the plate.

Secured to the lower face of the plate, in spanning relation to the said opening 11, thereof, and across the smaller dimension thereof, is a downwardly directed arcuate arm or rod 14, and encircling said arm or rod is a coil spring 15, to which further reference will he made later herein.

Disposed within the opening 11, of the plate 10, is an elongated sign member 16, the same being preferably triangular in cross section, and normally arranged with its apex above the surface of the plate 10. On one of the inclined faces of the sign member is formed the word Stop, the letters of which are preferably raised above the surface of the metal, and such letters painted some distinctive color which may be readily seen from an appropriate distance. The lower edge of N the legend carried side of the sign member .16 is hinged to the adjacent edge of the opening 11, as shown at 17, whereby said member may be swung downwardly through said opening, when the wheels of a vehicle pass thereover.

Secured to the free edge of the sign member, below the plate 10, is an arm 18, which extends beneaththe adjacent portion of the plate, and is terminally formed with a notch 19, receiving, said arcuate arm or rod therein, and having a washer 20 bearing against the lug, and supported on the adjacent end of the coil spring 15. On the rod 14, above the notched end of the arm 18, is a washer 21, and between said washer and the lower face of the plate, is a coil spring 22, said springbeing arranged in encircling relation to the adjacent end of therod 14, and serving as a buffer to check the upward swing of the sign member into its normal erect position, as well as to prevent noises which would otherwise occur during this movement.

Set into the center of the legend carrying face of the sign member 16, is a colored glass member 23, which will readily reflect the beams of lightfrom the headlights of approaching vehicles, thereby rendering the sign visible to the drivers.

As will be understood, the sign member is held normally in erect position, so that the legend thereon, and the red glass 23, may be readily seen by the driver of an approaching vehicle. If it should so happen that the wheels of a vehicle pass over the sign member, said member w1ll be depressed through the opening of the plate, until its legend carrying face is in the lane of the upper face of the plate, and of t e surface of the street. Immediately after the vehicle has passed over the sign, the spring 15 will restore the sign member to its normal erect position.

While I have shown one arcuate rod, and spring thereon, it will be understood that any number may be used, as conditions warrant. Furthermore, other legends may be as anpropriately formed on the face of the sign member, and such legends formed in any suit able manner. I may, also, dispense with the colored glass member 23, so that I may make the sign with or without the same.

What is claimed is:

1. A trafiic sign comprising a base plate having an opening therein, a normally erect sign member pivotally mounted in said opening 'for depressing movement therethrough, an arcuate member carried by the plate in spanning relation to said opening, a spring onthe arcuate member bearing a ainst the plate and sign member, and a bu er means tween the sign member and plate.

2. A traflic sign including a plate having an opening therein, an arcuate rod having its ends secured to the plate at opposite sides of the opening, a sign member pivoted to a side of the opening and having an arm slidably embracing said rod, a sprm encircling 'the rod at one side of the arm an having an end engaging the plate and an end supporting said arm, and a buffer spring encircling the rod at the other side of the arm.

a 3. A trafiic sign comprising a base plate having an opening therein, a normall erect sign member pivotally mounted in sai' 0 ening, an arcuate member mounted on the p ate,

an arm on the free edge of said sign member having sliding engagement with said arcuate member, and a spring on said arcuate member between said plate and arm.

4. A trafiic sign comprising a base plate having an opening therein, a normall erect sign member pivotally mounted in sai opening for depressing movement therethrough,

a member carried by the plate in spanning relation to said opening and a spring on'said member bearing against the plateand sign member. y

In testimony whereof, I afiix m'y si ature.

' HENRY -J-. S TH. 

